Chapter 1: I Am Not Alone

Megan's POV

"Hello, this is Celeste. How may I help you?" A woman answered my call, and I adjusted my phone with my trembling hand as I tried to find the right words to say.

"Hi there, I am Megan Corteza. Would it be possible if you could transfer my call to Gael? He gave me this number if I am interested in his offer." I said as I tried to calm my nerves.

"Oh, Megan, I am Gael's PA, and I remember you. I was there at Astikoz hills, and you were the one who sang a beautiful song at Zachary's party, right?" She asked, and I felt so happy that she remembered me.

"Yes, it is me," I replied.

"I know he will be excited to talk with you, but as of the moment, he has some important things to do that can't be disturbed. We will get back to you once he is already free." Celeste said, and I felt disappointed, but at least Celeste has my number now.

"Okay, thank you so much for your time, Celeste," I said, and I ended my call after we said goodbye to each other.

"Are you sure about your decision, Megan? You don't have a place to go, and you are so young. How are you going to raise the child alone? You have to stay here in Astikoz, Meg. I am sure your parents will not give up the child once you deliver it. I can tell they are just angry as of the moment that is why your father told you about that adoption thing, but I know your parents Megan do love you, and I am sure whatever happened to you, they will always be there to protect and help you whatever you need." Alice declared.

"You don't know my father, Alice, he is very determined to give up my child even before I give birth, and I can't do it, it would be the most terrifying to do, I have to raise my child alone, and that is why I need to talk with Gael," I replied.

"I think you should tell your brother about your decision, Megan because he cares about you, and I am sure Dexter can help you find a place where you can stay. I hope you are not going far away from us because you know we will miss you, Meg. I don't have enough savings yet, and I can't visit you anytime if you are out of the country. How am I going to see you? Aren't you going to miss me?" My best friend asked, and I admit before I could even leave Astikoz, I could feel the pain in my heart. 

"I don't belong to a wealthy family, Alice, so it would be impossible for me to travel out of the country. And my only option is to live in another city, or countryside, and find a place where I can raise my child alone." I responded.

"Besides, I wanted to leave Astikoz as soon as possible while my dad still allowed me to have this part-time job. My father was planning to imprison me at home once my tummy got bigger, and I am sure that time I could no longer get out of our house." I added.

"And this is the best time to do it; besides, I wanted to forget all about Ashton and his family, especially his manipulative father. I know one day I am going to show Gregory Pritzgold that he was wrong about me." I continued, and I could see the sympathy on my best friend's face, but I could tell Alice didn't even believe in me.

"Mark my word, Alice, Gregory Pritzgold will regret everything he has done to our family," I said, and she smiled at me.

"I know you can do it, Megan, because you are intelligent, and I know that your dreams don't end here; this is just the beginning of your journey. I can give you my savings so that you will have additional money for your delivery, and don't worry since I will have more part-time jobs so that I can help you, Megan." She said, and I could no longer hold my tears.

"No, don't do that, Al. I have enough savings, and I think it would be enough for me to make a new start. I know that money is intended for my parents, but once I have enough money for myself and the baby, I will still support them. I know I hurt them, but I hope my family will forgive me." I declared.

"You already helped me a lot, Alice, and escaping from this place is the only thing I want right now, and you are the only one who can help me, and I hope you will visit me soon wherever I may go," I said, and Alice hugged me. I am just glad we only have a few customers who dined in, in the restaurant where we are currently working.

"Are you sure about your decision, about the song?" Alice asked as she tried to change the topic, and I looked at her and nodded.

"That song is significant to you, and it belongs to you, Meg." She added.

"I know I made a promise to myself that I will treasure that song forever, but Ashton broke my heart into pieces. I don't have any idea how to pick the broken pieces of my heart. I will sell my songs to a record label or publisher, or I will ask an artist like Gael to record my songs, and that is why I wanted to talk with Gael," I replied.

"Yeah, I know, and I am happy that you made that decision, Meg. I hope to hear your songs in the air soon. I am so proud of you, Meg. You are a strong young woman." Alice said.

"Thank you, Al. I hope you can ask permission from your dad to borrow his car so that you can drive me to the airport the next day. I have enough stuff in your house already, and I can't bring more because I know Ava will suspect, and I am sure she will tell my parents about my plan." I said.

"So, you are not going to inform even Dexter about it?" She asked, and I nodded my head.

Our conversations ended when customers got inside the restaurant, we took different tables to take their orders, and the day passed in a blur. I can't deny I am thinking about Ashton most of the time, but I didn't tell Alice about it because I know she was angry with Ashton too.

I still couldn't believe that Ashton would shatter my heart, but since it happened, I realized he was lying to me, and he never cared about me. The best thing to do was to forget all about him because I would only live in misery if I continued to think about the good things we had done together and the painful things he had done to me. I can't deny I want to relive the sweet moments we had, especially the times he made me feel that he loved me, it all feels so real, and I can't stop feeling so sad why it has to end this way.

I don't want to go home after my shift because my parents are giving me the cold treatment, and they avoided me any chance they could get. Only my siblings are talking with me as if nothing happened. I felt so glad I hadn't seen my dad's car in the garage when I got home.

"Can we talk, Meg?" Dexter asked me when I got inside the living room, and I wondered why he was at home when I knew his duty at the hotel was until 10:30 in the evening.

"Sure, where are they?" I asked.

"Mom and Dad attended a birthday party, and they will be back late, while our beautiful sister is having a sleepover at her best friend's house for two nights, so it means we can talk since we are the only ones left here; in our house." He declared, and he asked me to come with him to the dining room. And I smiled when I realized my brother had cooked dinner, and he pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down immediately while he sat across from me.

"Wow! You chose to be absent from your work to prepare dinner?" I asked him, and my brother laughed.

"Yes, and I want to do this before you leave Astikoz." He declared, and I stiffened, and I could tell my face paled.

"How?" I asked.

"Come on, Meg, I know what is playing in your pretty head right now." Dexter declared as he looked me in the eyes, and I was still shocked that my brother knew my plan all along.

"I know you, Megan, we have the same personality, and I could tell you will never run away from your responsibility. I can feel it in my heart that you will never allow anyone to take your child, and I am with you. I want you to know that I am against dad's plan because I know that child is innocent. It had nothing to do with what is going on with Ashton and you." Dexter said, and I looked at my brother perplexed.

"I thought you were angry with me," I said in disbelief, and my tears fell on my cheeks as I realized I was not alone, I had Alice and him to back me up, and I felt his brotherly love for me when he got up from his chair, and he took me into his arms.

"Meg, I know what you have been through right now. You are in deep pain, and you are so confused about what to do, and I want you to know that I am here for you. I will always be here for you. I am sorry if I wasn't able to protect your heart from hurting, but I will do everything I can to help you, Meg.." Dexter declared, and his words made me fe

el better as I realized I was so lucky to have him as my brother.